With their second pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, 46th overall, the New York Mets have selected Jonathan Santucci, a left-hander out of Duke. The 46th pick holds a slot value of a shade over two million dollars. The Mets selected Oklahoma State outfielder Carson Benge with their first pick of the night — 19th overall.
Scouting the Mets’ 2024 second-round pick:
Santucci struggled with health during the 2024 campaign, but was nasty when he was on the field. Santucci’s profile is driven by his slider; 56% of swings on it in 2024 resulted in whiffs. His fastball has some positive traits, most notably plus vertical break. His repertoire is rounded out by a changeup, though it was used sporadically in college.
With the 46th overall pick the Mets take
LHP Jonathan Santucci.
pic.twitter.com/wt6zd2XJYb— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 15, 2024
In 2024, Santucci posted a 3.31 ERA and 15 K/9 as Duke’s Friday night starter, where his 58 innings represented a career high. Earlier in the season, he was named to the 2024 All-ACC First Team.
Health has always been an issue for the southpaw. In his junior season, Santucci underwent surgery to address bone chips in his left elbow. His senior year was cut short by a rib injury that cost him three weeks. He returned for two frames during Duke postseason, where he sat 95-96 mph with his fastball.
Despite moonlighting as a two-way player in college, Santucci was only announced as a pitcher. Benge, their first-round selection, noted earlier tonight that he would like to continue his two-way journey in the Mets’ system.
Will Sammon of The Athletic recently reported that the Mets were looking to draft “pitchers with electric raw stuff.” Baseball America noted Santucci, along with Brandon Sproat and Blade Tidwell, represents the third college pitcher that the Mets have drafted after he slipped on draft night. Given the excellence of his slider, Santucci fits that profile. Santucci should be an excellent addition to the group of Mets’ pitching prospects rising up the minor-league ranks.
Round 3-10 will occur Monday, starting at 2 p.m. ET. The Mets will make their next selection at pick 82.
